Among the huge variety of orchid species grown indoors , Miltonia is considered one of the most popular tropical beauties.
Its rich greenery, lush and long-lasting flowering, and most importantly, the exotic, exquisite shape of the flowers force lovers all over the world to endure the rather capricious nature of the orchid , creating comfortable conditions for its growth.
Miltonia in natural growing conditions
The Miltonia orchid, which appeared in greenhouses and private collections in the 19th century, was brought to Europe from the countries of the South American region .
The natural habitat for this magnificent beauty is the tropical forest zone in Brazil and Argentina, as well as in the mountainous regions of Paraguay. Interesting! Most of the species of Miltonia like to settle in elevated areas (up to 900 meters), and some species occupy an even higher natural niche - up to 1.5 km.
Epiphytic orchids are attached to tree trunks, using them only as a support and a way to take a comfortable living position. Orchids hovering above the earth .
Miltonia is a herbaceous perennial. All its species belong to the sympodial type of development, that is, they grow horizontally due to the growth of the rhizome (rhizome) and the pseudobulbs (shoots) formed on it.
The leaves of the plants are narrow - long, lush green. Small (up to 12 cm), flowers of various colors with a delicate aroma are collected in racemes.
Curious! Miltonia received its generic name thanks to the Englishman E. Milton, a passionate collector of orchids. But it also has another popular name - the “Pansy” orchid, which speaks of the similarity of the flowers of these two plants.
Distinctive characteristics
All phalaenopsis are monopodial plants:
- they do not have a rhizome or pseudobulb;
- there is only one erect stem;
- one apical growth point.
Representatives of the genus are distinguished by the following characteristics:
- the stem is very short, almost invisible;
- leaves - wide, leathery, oblong, collected in a rosette of 4-6 pieces, plain or with a marble pattern;
- the roots are aerial, greenish in color, covered with velamen;
- peduncles are tall, erect (sometimes drooping), in some species they branch, growing from buds in the axils between the leaves.
Flowering duration is 3–8 months. An adult plant can form about 40 buds. The flowers are from 3 to 15 cm in size, round, with wide open petals and a protruding lip in the center.
The middle of the flower or the base of the lip is often highlighted with a bright spot. Each variety has its own unique color.
Possible options:
- plain - petals and lip are the same color;
- speckled - white, pink, crimson dots according to the main color;
- gradient - a smooth transition of shade;
- spotted - a pattern of burgundy and crimson spots;
- striped - brown and reddish strokes.
Popular species of Miltonia
The generic taxon Miltonia includes, according to various sources, up to 20 natural species and many newly bred varieties. The most popular ones are shown in the photo.
Snow white Miltonia (M. candida)
A distinctive feature of the orchid is the brown-yellow star of its corolla with a prominent white lip. Closer to the core, the lip is colored lilac .
Flowering occurs closer to autumn. A fragrant cluster of 3-5 flowers is formed on each peduncle.
Miltonia clowesii (M. clowesii)
Orchid inflorescences bear about 10 graceful corollas of reddish-brown color. The petals have a wavy outline. Three of them are directed upward, and two go down and border the original shape of the lip of a whitish tone with a purple middle.
Blooms from April to December.
Miltonia Warshevich (M. wascewiezii)
The orchid has large branched arrows with intricately shaped flowers. The pinkish-brown petals are distinguished by a backward-curving, wavy outline .
A milky lip with a brownish spot in the center makes up most of the flower.
If you constantly remove faded corollas from the inflorescence, you can achieve non-stop flowering due to the formation of peduncles on the sides of the main one.
Miltonia brilliant (M. spectabilis)
The orchid is distinguished by a single arrangement of corollas on the peduncle (two are less common).
The flowers are quite large, white-beige in color, but they can also be lilac-lilac in color . The corollas look like pansies.
Blooms from late summer to mid-autumn .
The orchid is not picky about temperature changes.
Miltonia yellowish (M. flavesctns)
Orchid leaves can change color depending on the lighting.
A distinctive feature is a meter-long peduncle with a large number (up to 15 pieces) of buds . Delicate yellow flowers with narrow petals and a wavy lip. Has a pleasant aroma.
Flowering - from mid-winter to October.
Miltonia regnellii (M. regnellii)
Orchid leaves have a glossy surface.
Up to 6 buds are formed on a dense, . The petals of the flowers are white; on the larger lip there is a bright lilac-lilac spot.
Orchid with a pronounced fragrant aroma.
Miltonia cuneata (M. cuneata)
Orchids bloom in February-March.
The petals of the orchid are light yellow in color and densely covered with brownish-reddish streaks. The whitish lip has a slight lilac coating. The whisks exude the most delicate aroma.
Miltassia orchid Miltassia
The orchid was obtained as a hybrid from crossing Miltonia and Brassia. It is distinguished by large , star-shaped corollas with a prominent rounded lip . The colors of the corollas are varied in color and pattern.
Flowering occurs in autumn.
Miltoniopsis miltonia phalaenopsis
The hybrid is the result of breeding work on crossing Miltonia and Phalaenopsis.
The corollas of this orchid are especially similar to the flowers of Pansies, but some similarities can be found with Phalaenopsis. They can be painted in a snow-white color with crimson rays , but there are also more monochromatic shades.
The orchid blooms from late May to October.
Harlequin
The name Harlequin itself implies brightness and unusual coloring . Spotted flowers look very original and immediately catch the eye, especially since it is impossible to find two similar “butterflies” on the same plant.
Story
Most orchid breeders, when developing new varieties and hybrids, pay special attention to:
- Uniformity and brightness of color,
- The shape and size of the flower,
- Duration of flowering , while clones with uneven coloring are considered defective and are discarded.
However, in 1983, one of the large Taiwanese orchid growers decided to cross two clones with slightly spotted yellow flowers in hopes of producing a more vibrant pattern . The lineage of these clones included speckled flower species such as P.gigantea, P.amboinensis and P.Lueddemanniana.
The resulting hybrid did have a more intense color and was called Golden Peoker, but especially notable were the flowers of one of the clones, which had bright spots that seemed to be superimposed on each other. This unusual coloring attracted the attention of the American Orchid Society, and the clone received the Judges' Praise award .
Demand for this plant led the grower to begin cloning Golden Peoker. During the breeding process, new mutations were obtained , with even more expressive spots and interesting colors. These plants received commercial recognition and laid the foundation for a new direction in orchid breeding called Harlequin.
External characteristics and distinctive features
The non-flowering plant is not much different in appearance from traditional varieties. However, there is a difference and it increases the value of Harlequin .
Most plants flower easily. Moreover, the break between flowering , as a rule, is no more than three months, provided that the plant is healthy and in good condition. There is no need to stimulate new flowering because even without fertilizer or other stimulation methods, these phalaenopsis bloom well on their own.
We are also pleased with the ability to form several flower stalks at the same time, which gives special splendor and prolongs the decorative period.
Check out how the Harlequin phalaenopsis blooms in the photo.
Phalaenopsis Harlequin.
Colors and flowering features
Given the demand for Harlequins, many companies involved in the propagation and cultivation of phalaenopsis, instead of culling spotted clones, began to preserve the most interesting specimens, thereby increasing the diversity of Harlequins.
The general background of flowers and the color of spots can vary greatly, but it is worth highlighting several key points common to this group of plants :
- The size of the plants can vary from miniature to large, but the color of the flowers is always spotted;
- The spots are clearly visible already at the bud stage;
- The drawing of the first flower is not similar to the drawing of the second and subsequent ones . Even on one flower arrow, all the flowers can be different.
Interesting! The color and pattern of the spots depends not only on the characteristics of the clone, but also on the temperature of the content. Thus, at low temperatures the spots become brighter and more expressive, and at high temperatures they fade.
Most often you can find the following varieties of Harlequins - Phalaenopsis Ever-spring King:
- White background with many small burgundy spots;
- Red spots of various sizes and shapes on a yellow background;
- Red or burgundy spots on a yellow background.
Fal. Ever Spring King 'Lee'.
And in the second part of this video you can look at Harlequin (this is confirmed in the comments under the video):
Keeping at home
The Miltonia orchid is considered a finicky plant to maintain. Caring for a tropical beauty at home can cause a lot of trouble for both a beginner and an experienced gardener . But after studying all the nuances, you can learn how to create comfortable conditions for your pet.
Temperature and ventilation
The first requirement made by Miltonia is to create a stable temperature regime. Ideal conditions for a tropical guest can be considered daytime thermometer readings at +18+23°C, which should be reduced by about 5°C at night. During the rest period, the temperature should not be increased above +18°C.
An orchid may respond to a significant increase or decrease in temperature by refusing to bloom or slowing down its growth. Therefore, in winter it cannot be placed next to central heating radiators and close to windows, but in the summer heat it can be saved by ventilation.
Important! The Miltonia orchid does not tolerate drafts, so when ventilating it should be protected from strong movement of air masses.
Lighting and placement
As an inhabitant of the middle tier of tropical forests, Miltonia does not like bright light - it requires diffused lighting, but in sufficient volume. This is the second requirement of the capricious orchid.
Attention! In the summer (especially in the heat), it is necessary for Miltonia to shade the windows to avoid burns and other unforeseen problems.
The placement of the plant in the room needs to be thought out in advance: western and eastern windows are most suitable . On northern windowsills, orchids need lighting, and on southern windowsills, shading.
Humidity and watering
The tropical beauty loves regular and sufficient watering (another requirement). For this reason, in summer, the orchid is watered after about 4-5 days , monitoring the drying of the soil and temperature indicators.
In cold weather, watering is reduced to a minimum - but this does not apply to flowering specimens. For the rest, the rule works: it is better to slightly dry out the soil than to flood it .
Settled and warm water is suitable for irrigation. Watering Miltonia is allowed from the inside along the wall of the flowerpot or by immersion in a container and then draining excess water.
The requirement for air humidity is increased: it must be maintained constantly at the level of 70 - 80%. Humidifiers, trays with pebbles in water, or spraying the room are suitable for this . And be sure to ventilate the room to prevent the formation of rot.
Soil and pot
Miltonia feels best in transparent plastic pots , in the surface of which experienced gardeners recommend making holes for better air flow to the roots.
Important! For Miltonia, a drainage system should be considered at the bottom of the pot.
The substrate should be light, with good aeration and water permeability, so you can purchase a ready-made mixture. Or prepare it yourself from pre-chopped and boiled bark (from parasites and resin residues), charcoal fragments and peat additives.
Feeding and fertilizers
During the growing season, Miltonia requires fertilization for optimal growth. The feeding regime involves carrying out this operation twice a month with specialized mineral fertilizers.
Advice! When feeding, it is recommended to reduce the dosage by half from the norm indicated on the label. This will protect the orchid from chemical burns.
Differences in care depending on the season
- When growing Miltonia, you should take into account the difference in temperature requirements: in summer it is +18+23°C, in winter it is only +15+18°C.
- During the active growing season, the orchid needs shading of the windows to receive diffused light.
- Summer watering is regular and optimal in quantity, winter watering is minimal until watering is completely stopped.
- Fertilizers are applied only in the warm season; fertilizing is prohibited during the dormant period .
This video describes the principles of caring for the Miltonia orchid at home.
Rules of care
The rules for caring for the varieties described are not much different from the standard ones. In some respects, they are even less picky about their conditions and bloom more easily .
Timely watering with warm water with periodic drying of the substrate, fertilizing, moderate lighting and moderately warm temperature conditions are necessary conditions for successful cultivation.
Miltonia transplant
The Miltonia orchid does not like interference in its life processes . Therefore, plant transplants should be carried out only when necessary and with extreme caution.
Need for transplant
The replanting schedule for each specimen is drawn up at the rate of no more than once every 3 or 4 years. The mandatory nature of the procedure may be indicated by slower growth of the ground part , problems with the substrate (unpleasant odor or compaction), as well as a lot of protruding aerial roots.
Transfer rules
Carefully! For maximum care of the roots, replanting Miltonia is best done using the transshipment method.
If this method does not work for some reason, then you should follow a certain sequence:
- Remove the orchid by cutting the old container;
- Clean the roots from damaged bark, damaged and diseased areas of roots , dried leaves;
- Sprinkle the cut areas with charcoal and dry the roots;
- Carefully place the roots on the drainage in the prepared flowerpot and cover with clean substrate . Do not water the orchid after replanting for at least a week to prevent rotting of the root system.
It is recommended to carry out procedures for changing the soil even before the plant leaves the dormant period , that is, in early spring.
This video shows how to replant a Miltonia orchid at home.
Peduncle of phalaenopsis
Difficulty in the appearance of a peduncle occurs if the basic rules of care are not followed. You can completely ruin a flower and not wait for the arrow to appear at all. If there is no arrow for a long time, you can reconsider the care of the flower, identify errors in order to correct them and provide the flower with everything it needs. To do this, the first thing you should do is find out what a peduncle is and how it appears.
What is it and what does it look like
The peduncle is the part of the plant from which the buds appear and on which the flowers are subsequently attached, so pleasing to the owner of the flower. The birth of a peduncle is one of the most important periods in the life of a flower. The period when the peduncle appears is considered the active phase. It is at this moment that you should start feeding the plant with specialized fertilizers.
It looks like a thick dark green twig, its surface is smooth, its tip is pointed. The scales are located at equal distances from each other along the entire length of the stem. Flowers then grow from them. Young orchids have straight arrows, but over time they can take on different shapes, like a slingshot.
An orchid produces a flower stalk several times in its life. They are especially tenacious and, with proper care, live for several years, continuing to bloom. Most often, only one flowering occurs, after which the peduncle dries out. Also, the peduncle is capable of producing children.
How it appears and where it can appear
A distinctive feature of the peduncle is that it appears from the axil of the leaf or, in extreme cases, from the growing point. This is a fundamental point. If something similar comes out of the stem or root system, then it is probably a shoot or a baby. If there is already one peduncle, then the second one can come from its bud. True, it looks small and thin, there are few flowers on it, it grows from the edge of the main one.
If the peduncle develops quickly, it should be so. This indicates well-organized care. The opposite situation is not normal. When the flower stalk seems to have appeared, but gradually dries out and stops developing. In this case, it most likely lacks lighting and nutrients. Normally, the growth of a peduncle takes about three months.
How to distinguish from the root
It's very simple. Even a novice gardener can distinguish them with the naked eye. First, a new root grows from a stem at the base of the plant close to the growing leaf blades. The tip of the peduncle is pointed, and the root is round and has a green and bluish color. Also, there are no scales at the roots at all and they have a rounded upper part.
How to properly replant an orchid in the autumn - step-by-step instructions
How to distinguish from a baby
With children, the situation is more complicated. Even experienced gardeners can get confused here. The similar shape, color and presence of scales are usually misleading. The place of growth is the same - the axils of the leaves. Distinctive features of the baby:
- There is no growth point.
- The shoot opens and becomes beak-like.
- The scales are larger and eventually take the shape of leaves.
- Phalaenopsis is able to produce a baby only at a respectable age, if it is more than 6 years old.
Miltonia blooming
With proper care in indoor culture, Miltonia blooms with enviable consistency and for quite a long time.
Conditions for orchid flowering
- Mandatory compliance with all care regimes, that is, maintaining the required lighting, temperature and proper humidity percentage , as well as correct implementation of watering and fertilizing schedules;
- Creating the necessary conditions for the onset of winter rest for the orchid: lowering the temperature, gradually reducing watering, canceling the application of fertilizers;
- After the formation of the peduncle begins, restoration of all care regimens to the proper level.
For Miltonia species that do not have a winter rest, since during the cold season they continue to delight flower growers with their lush flowering, it is simply necessary to organize the correct maintenance.
This video shows how the Miltonia Sunset orchid blooms and talks about growing it at home.
After flowering
Faded arrows should be removed after they are completely dry. The peduncle is carefully cut with a disinfected knife above the pseudobulb, trying to make an oblique cut and not injure the bulb.
Only in M. Varshevich the peduncle is not removed - it branches out and blooms again due to the side shoots. The dried flowers of this orchid are simply removed.
Reproduction of Miltonia
The easiest way to obtain new specimens of Miltonia . To do this, the orchid must consist of at least 6 bulbs.
When transplanting, the bush is divided into parts (3 pseudobulbs in each), all cuts are disinfected with charcoal , and the resulting plants are placed in their own flowerpots.
Diseases and parasites of Miltonia
An attack by spider mites, whiteflies, thrips, mealybugs and scale insects can be dangerous for an orchid. They all suck out the juices of the plant . At the first signs, Miltonia is quarantined and treated with insecticides.
Among the diseases that are harmful to the orchid are bacterial spots, anthracnose and rot that occur due to care errors. Affected areas of the plant should be removed, sections should be treated with charcoal , the substrate should be changed and care regimes should be adjusted. Sometimes fungicide treatment is necessary.
This video shows one of the orchid diseases and tells what to do in this case.
